Improvement in gang-plows



" L. M. PATTERSON.

Wheel-Cultivator.

Patented Mar. 20. 1866 2772 eases x/wm NFETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER.WASNlNGTON. o c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS M. PATTERSON, OF J ORDANS GROVE, ILLINOIS.

lMPROVEMENT IN GANG-PLOWS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 53, 32 8, dated March20, 1866.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, Lnwrs M. PATTERSON, of J ordans Grove, in the countyof Randolph and State of Illinois, have invented a new and ImprovedGang-Plow; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in theart to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure l is aside view of my invention; Fig. 2, a front view of the same; Fig. 3, aplan or top view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in a novel means employed for keeping the plowslevel or in a horizontal plane when the axle has an inclined position inconsequence of one wheel. running in a furrow and the other upon theunplowed land, or when the machine is operating upon uneven ground. Theadjustment necessary to efiect this being accomplished through themedium of a lever operated by the driver from his seat.

A represents an axle, having a wheel, B, at each end of it, and G is abolster, which is placed at the front side of the axle A, and is securedthereto near one end by a pivot-bolt, D. (Shown in Fig. 2.) This bolsterhas guides E attached to it, metal hoops which extend around the axle,and are sufficiently high to admit of a requisite degree of play of thebolster, and of such a width as to keep the bolster in close proximityto the axle.

F represents a rectangular frame, the front end of which rests upon thebolster G, and is secured to it at one side by a screw, a, which admitsof the axle turning in order to guide the machine. The rear end of theframe F is supported by a caster-wheel, Gr. Within the frame F there isfitted a similar frame, H, the front end of the latter being connectedby joints or hinges to the front end of F, so that H may be raised andlowered, and elevated above or free from the ground when not requiredfor use, and kept down in the ground while at work. This frame H hasplowstandards attached to it with plows at their lower ends of anydesirable form or construction. The plow-standards pass through metallicbridges I, secured on the top of frame H, and are secured therein bypins passing through any of a series of holes in the standards, so thatthe plows may be adjusted higher or lower as desired.

The frame H is adjusted by means of a lever, J, having its fulcrum on ashaft, 1), which is fitted in uprights c 0 attached to the frame F, thefront end of lever J working in an upright guide, K, attached to thefront part of frame F, and having two notches, d d, made in its upperand lower parts to receive the lever J, the latter, when in the lowernotch, holding the plows up out of the ground, and'when in the uppernotch holding the plows down in the ground to their work.

This lever J can be operated by the driver from his seat L on the frameH.

The bolster O, at its free or disengaged end, is connected by a link, M,with a crank, e, at the lower end of a lever, N, the fulcrumfof which ison the upper side of the axle A. This lever extends within convenientreach of the driver on seat L, so that the driver, by actuating thislever, can always keep the plows in a horizontal plane, however much theaxle A may be inclined on account of uneven ground or on account of onewheel running in afurrow. The lever N is held or retained at any desiredpoint by means of a semicircular rack, 0, attached to the axle A. Thedraft-pole is attached to the bolster 0.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. The combination of the two frames F H, one, F,being attached by a pivot bolt or screw to the pivoted bolster O, andthe other, H, attached to the front end of F by a hinge orjoint, andhaving a lever, J, connected to it, substantially as shown, for thepurpose of keeping the frame H, and consequently the plows, in anelevated or a working position, substantially as set forth.

2. The bolster G, pivoted to the axle A, in combination with the framesF H and the lever N, or its equivalent, all arranged to operate in themanner substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

LEWIS M. PATTERSON.

Witnesses J. W. IVIOMASTER, JAMES MATTHEWS.

